Apparatus for treating a material

ABSTRACT

A device is disclosed that can be mounted within an enclosure relative to one or more surfaces of a material to be treated and to a prescribed path through which the material is to be moved. A liquid with which the material is to be treated is pumped under pressure into a chamber from which it is expelled with a vortex action. This action forms a low pressure area which holds the material in contact with the liquid layer on the facing surface of the plenum member. With such a structure, the material is maintained at a fixed distance relative to the surface of the plenum member and a maximum agitation of the liquid is obtained due to the vortex action.

[11] 3,831,612 [451 Aug. 27, 1974 United States Petent [191 Limoges I APPARATUS FOR TREATING A MATERIAL 3,310,062 3/1967 Little 95/94 3, 1, 9 8 1 Inventor: Raymond F. Limoges, Rochester, 60 02 Needleman 95/89 R [73] Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company,

Primary Examiner-Samuel S. Matthews Assistant Examiner-Alan Mathews Rochester, NY.

Attorney, Agent, or FirmLloyd F. Seebach Sept. 15,1972

[22] Filed:

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Wright....... 964 Miller Lohse et a1 8 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures 1 APPARATUS FOR TREATING A MATERIAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART A common method of treating or processing a sheet or strip of material is to move the sheet or strip through a tank of treating or processing liquid by means of a series of rollers or to move the sheet relative to a plurality of nozzles, which apply the treating or processing liquid to at least one surface of the sheet. In the case where rollers are used to transport a photographic film through a processing station, the rollers actually perform two functions; namely, to transport the film and to provide agitation of the processing liquid at the film surface to enhance the processing or development.

With either of the aforementioned material treating systems. a considerable number of parts are required to provide the necessary path length throughwhich the material must be moved to order to obtain a complete treatment. In addition, with such a large number of moving parts, the system is difficult to maintain and the time required for cleaning the system imposes a large cost for the treatment. It would be desirable, therefore, if a continuous strip or sheet of material, such as a photographic film could be processed by apparatus that could be built at a reduced cost and that would require less clean-up time and general maintenance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION ous strip or sheet of photographic film in which there is high surface agitation at the film-liquid interface, thereby resulting in high quality processing of the film.

It is still another object of the invention to provide an apparatus of inherent high quality and reliability for rapidly processing photographic film in either strip or sheet form.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art by the description which follows.

The objects of the invention set forth hereinabove are attained by a device that can be mounted within an enclosure relative to one or more surfaces of a material to be treated and to the prescribed path through which the material is to be moved. In one embodiment of the invention, the material is of strip form that is continuous and is moved in a path in which the material forms a single loop. A plenum member is arranged within the enclosure and with respect to one side or surface of the material, between the facing surfaces of the material forming the loop, or with respect to each side of one segment of the loop. The plenum member comprises a hollow, central portion that is covered with a plate on one or both sides depending on the relative position the plenum member is to assume relative to the material. At least one of the plates is provided with a plurality of linearly spaced, blind holes. These holes are interconnected to a chamber formed in the plenum member by the plates. The liquid with which the material is to be treated is pumped under pressure into the chamber. A small hole is arranged so as to intersect the blind hole in a tangential manner and connects the blind hole to the chamber. The introduction of the liquid into the blind hole causes the liquid to rotate rapidly and form a vortex. This vortex action forms a low pressure area in the center of the hole at the surface of the plate which holds the material in contact with the liquid layer on the facing surface of the plate or plenum member. With such a structure, the material is maintained at a fixed distance relative to the surface of the plenum member and a maximum agitation of the liquid is obtained due to the vortex action. While the embodiments of the invention described hereinafter relate the plenum member to the vertical position, it can be used horizontally as well to handle either a continuous strip or sheet of material.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS I Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals designate like parts and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partial sectional view showing one embodiment of the invention in which a plenum member is arranged between the segments of a loop path formed by the material and relative to the surface of the material that is to be treated;

FIG. 2 is a detail sectional view showing the relationship of the holes and orifices in the plenum member for generating a vortex. action;

FIG. 3 is a detail sectional view taken substantially along the line 33 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional and perspective view taken through the plenum member and showing the manner in which the chamber is formed and the manner in which the orifices are interconnected to the chamber;

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view similar to FIG. 1 and showing another arrangement in which a plenum member is arranged with respect to each segment of the loop'path; and

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view similar to FIG. 1 and showing another arrangement in which plenum members are arranged with respect to each segment of the'loop path for treating both surfaces of the material.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With particular reference to FIG. 1, one embodiment of the invention is shown in which an open-end enclosure or tank 10 has arranged therein an upper set of rollers 11, I2 and 13, the roll 12 being driven by a suitable external source, not shown. In the bottom of enclosure 10, a lower set of rollers 14, 15 and 16 are rotatably mounted, the roller 15 being driven by a suitable source not shown or interconnected to the means for driving roller 12. A guide member 17 is mounted on the bottom of enclosure 10 and has a scalloped surface 18 corresponding generally to the peripheral surface of rollers 14, and 16, as viewed in FIG. 1. The surface 18 serves to guide the leading edge of a strip or sheet of material 19 around roller 15. The bottom of enclosure 10 is also provided with a drain outlet 20 for a purpose to be described hereinafter.

The material 19 that is to have at least one surface thereof treated with a liquid can be a sheet, a strip or a continuous length of material that is moved in one direction by rollers 11 and 12, formed into a loop by rollers l4 and 15 then driven by rollers 15 and 16 in the opposite direction for discharge from the enclosure 10 by rollers 12 and 13. The distance between the upper and lower sets of rollers will be dependent on the length of the sheet or strip to be processed. ln the case of a continuous strip, there is no fixed distance that must separate two sets of rollers. Accordingly, the use of the term sheet as applied and used in conjunction with material is meant to include a sheet, a strip and a continuous length of material.

As shown in FIG. 1, plenum means 22 is arranged between the segments 23 and 24 which form the loop of material 19 around roller 15. Plenum means 22 comprises a hollow, rectangular member 25 having open sides 26 and 27. Each open side is covered with aplate 28 that comprises a flange portion 29 by which the plate is securedto member 25 with suitable fastening means, such as screws 30. The plate 28 is provided with a portion 31 that extends into member 25 and is dimensionally smaller than the open sides 26, 27. With this arrangement, a liquid that is introduced under pressure into a chamber 33 that is formed by the member 25 and plates 28 can flow from the chamber into each of the orifices to its respective blind orifice or hole 41, whereby the liquid is discharged against the facing surface of the material 19 and flows as a layer along the surface of plate 28 to the drain outlet 20.

With particular reference to FIGS. 2-4, it will be noted that the small orifice 40 permits the liquid to be introduced into the blind hole 41 in a tangential direction in order to create avortex action in the hole 41. Each of plates 28 is provided with a plurality of such orifices and holes. The number of holes 41 will bedetermined in accordance with the lengthof each respective segment 23 and 24. ln order to insure a sealed condition between member 25 and plate 28,a gasket 43 can be arranged between each of the plates and the member.

As pointed out hereinabove, the liquid is introduced into chamber 33 by a suitable connection at 45. This connection or inlet is connected to a pump 46 via line 47. The pump, in turn, is connected to a liquid reservoir 48 via line 49. The liquid that is applied against the facing surface of the material 19, flows off of the material and into the bottom of enclousre 10 where it drains into the outlet 20 by gravity into reservoir 48 via line 50. In this instance, the reservoir 48 is arranged below the enclosure 10, the liquid being recirculated through the system by pump 46.-The reservoir 48 can also be made a part of enclosure 10.

With the introduction of the liquid into orifice 40 and thence to hole 41, see P10. 3, the liquid is caused to rotate and thereby forms a vortex. The vortex action forms a low pressure area in the center of the hole 42 which enlarges in the counter sunk portion 55 of the hole 41. This low pressure area holds the material in contact with the layer of liquid that is on the surface 56 of each of plates 28. Consequently, not only is the liquid agitated due to the vortex action but a uniform and complete coverage of the surface of the material is obtained.

As pointed out hereinabove, the material can be any one of many which requires having one or both surfaces thereof treated; or in the case of the present disclosure, the material can be a photosensitive material that has been exposed and is processed or developed by the liquid directed thereagainst. It has been found that with photographic film up to 35mm in width, a plate having four holes approximately 7/32-inch diameter and /2-inch deep and counter sunk to Vvineh diameter with an entry hole of 0.056-inch diameter tangential thereto provided satisfactory sensitometric results with commercially, high contrast developers. The actual size of the plate per se was approximately 6 inches long by 2 inches wide and about 1 inch thick.

It was found that the use of a backup plate 60 insured proper direction and movement of a sheet or short strip of material relative to the surface of the second vortex plate. The plate 60 is arranged in such spaced relation to the surface of the facing plate 28 that the material does not contact such surface during movement thereover.

As shown in F IG. 5, a single plenum means can be arranged with respect to each of the outer surfaces of the material 19, the backup plate 60 being arranged relative to the inside surface of the segment 24. In this embodiment of the invention, the guide member 17 is replaced with a flexible belt 61 that directs the material 19 from segment 23 around roller 15 and into segment 24. Also, it will be noted in this embodiment that only a single plate 28 is used, the other side of member 25 being fully enclosure by a bottom 62. In the event it is desired to treat both surfaces of the material 19, then a plenum means 22, as shown in FIG. 1, can be arranged between the segments 23 and 24 and the plenum means 70 can be arranged with respect to each of the other surfaces of segments 23 and 24, as shown in FIG. 6. In this latter case, backup plate 60 is not needed.

While the vortex plate principle described above provides excellent results for the processing of 35mm films, the structure can be modified to accommodate it to wider films. This would necessitate slightly different vortex hole parameters as well as different liquid flow rates. Also, the vortex hole pattern and spacing would also vary. It should be mentioned again that although the invention has been disclosed and described with respect to a material that is moved in a vertical direction, it can also be used for materials that are moved in a horizontal direction. It would also be feasible to utilize several such plenum assemblies in a gang or stacked relation, i.e., in either a vertical or horizontal direction, to increase the output rate. When so arranged in a horizontal direction, the material can then be treated with more than one liquid. ln the latter case, a system for processing photographic film could include additional stations in which the film would be fixed and washed.

This invention has been described in detail with par ticular reference to preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for treating at least one surface of a material with a liquid, comprising:

an open-end enclosure for receiving said liquid;

means arranged generally within said enclosure for moving said material through a prescribed path having at least one change of direction to form path segments;

plenum means having a central chamber and arranged in said enclosure relative to at least one of said path segments with at least one surface of said plenum means generally parallel to and spaced from at least said one surface of said material when the latter is moved through said path;

means interconnected to said chamber for supplying under pressure a continuous flow of said liquid; and

said plenum means being provided with a plurality of sets of orifices spaced in the direction of movement of the material and interconnecting said chamber with the one surface of said plenum means, each set of orifices comprising a first and blind orifice opening into the one surface of said plenum means and a second orifice connecting the first orifice to the chamber, the second orifice tangentially intersecting said first orifice near the bottom thereof whereby a vortex action is imparted to the flow of said liquid for holding said one surface of said material in contact with the layer of liquid on the one surface of said plenum means as said material is moved thereover. 2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said plenum means comprises a hollow member having at least one open side and a plate enclosing said open side to form said chamber and having a'surface facing the one surface of said material.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said plenum means comprises a hollow, central member having a pair of opposed, open sides and a plate for enclosing each open side to form said central chamber, the surface of one of said plates facing the one surface of said material.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said sets of orifices are arranged in both of said plates.

5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein each of said plates comprises a flange for overlying said open sides and a portion extending into said member that is dimensionally smaller than said chamber.

6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said segments are generally parallel and said plenum means is arranged between said segments, said sets of orifices in each plate interconnecting the film of said liquid from said chamber to the respective surface of each plate for application to the facing surface of said material.

7. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein plenum means is arranged relative to each segment for treating the one surface .of said material.

8. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein plenum means is arranged relative to each segment for treating both surfaces of said material. 

1. Apparatus for treating at least one surface of a material with a liquid, comprising: an open-end enclosure for receiving said liquid; means arranged generally within said enclosure for moving said material through a prescribed path having at least one change of direction to form path segments; plenum means having a central chamber and arranged in said enclosure relative to at least one of said path segments with at least one surface of said plenum means generally parallel to and spaced from at least said one surface of said material when the latter is moved through said path; means interconnected to said chamber for supplying under pressure a continuous flow of said liquid; and said plenum means being provided with a plurality of sets of orifices spaced in the direction of movement of the material and interconnecting said chamber with the one surface of said plenum means, each set of orifices comprising a first and blind orifice opening into the one surface of said plenum means and a second orifice connecting the first orifice to the chamber, the second orifice tangentially intersecting said first orifice near the bottom thereof whereby a vortex action is imparted to the flow of said liquid for holding said one surface of said material in contact with the layer of liquid on the one surface of said plenum means as said material is moved therEover.
 2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said plenum means comprises a hollow member having at least one open side and a plate enclosing said open side to form said chamber and having a surface facing the one surface of said material.
 3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said plenum means comprises a hollow, central member having a pair of opposed, open sides and a plate for enclosing each open side to form said central chamber, the surface of one of said plates facing the one surface of said material.
 4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said sets of orifices are arranged in both of said plates.
 5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein each of said plates comprises a flange for overlying said open sides and a portion extending into said member that is dimensionally smaller than said chamber.
 6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said segments are generally parallel and said plenum means is arranged between said segments, said sets of orifices in each plate interconnecting the film of said liquid from said chamber to the respective surface of each plate for application to the facing surface of said material.
 7. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein plenum means is arranged relative to each segment for treating the one surface of said material.
 8. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein plenum means is arranged relative to each segment for treating both surfaces of said material. 